mr. speaker , i want to thank the gentleman from massachusetts ( mr. frank )  for yielding me time .  mr. speaker , why are we here tonight ?  we have not been ordained or called by some all-powerful force to play god or play doctor .  every day american families make life-and-death decisions governed by their own faith and led by their own hearts .  this congress does not interfere with most personal decisions of these american citizens .  why then , mr. speaker , why have we come here tonight ?  where is the respect for individual responsibility that is waved like a banner in this chamber ?  where is the respect tonight for states ' rights that we said we hold so dear ?  if we really believe in those values , we will stay out of terri schiavo 's life today and let the decision of her husband and the ruling of the federal court stand .  leadership must lead .  tonight this leadership is a taillight .  it is not the headlight for democracy and for a citizen 's right to privacy that it should be .  this is demagoguery .  this is a step in where we have no business .  this is walking where the angels fear to tread .  we are playing with a young woman 's life for the sake of politics .  this is not about values .  this is not about religion .  it is pandering for political gain with the next election in mind .  mr. speaker , how much further can we slide down this slippery slope of hypocrisy ?  how much lower can we sink ?  how much more unprincipled can we be ?  in a democracy , sometimes we disagree with individual decisions .  sometimes it is hard to bear judgment that we do not understand .  but if we truly believe in individual freedom and the right to privacy , then we must get out of the way and let people be free .  this is a matter that should rest with the family , their consciences , and their god .  the florida courts have spoken , and we should not intervene .  this is a very , very sad night for the house of representatives .  mr. speaker , is it possible for us to let this young woman take her leave in peace ?  